George Brainard: Sleep Quality
Astronaut Mike Fossum in his sleeping bag, which is attached to the lockers on the middeck of Space Shuttle Discovery.
Courtesy of NASA.
George C. Brainard, PhD, a neuroscientist working with the National Space Biological Research Institute (NSBRI), is researching circadian rhythms and space flight. Brainard describes his work with lighting systems, which may help to improve the quality of astronauts' sleep and improve their daily performance in space. Light, enriched in the blue end of the spectrum, appears to help maintain circadian rhythms and regular sleep cycles in space.
This research could aid people on Earth who experience circadian rhythm irregularities, such as those caused by seasonal affective disorder. Circadian rhythms are approximate 24-hour behavioral, physiological or molecular cycles in living organisms regulated by an internal biological clock.
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Grades K-8
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On-line Memory Games from Neuroscience for Kids
These games can be used as sleep/performance student experiments.
Grades 3-8
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Sleep and Daily Rhythms
Activities developed for the National Space Biomedical Research Institute by the Center for Education Outreach at Baylor College of Medicine.
Grades 5-12
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NOVA Science NOW activity on Sleep
Students investigate the affects of sleep on memory and learning. -
How Quick Are Your Responses?
Sleep and circadian rhythms activity from NASA's The Brain in Space activity guide.
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